ECONOMY MINISTRY CALLS FOR ENDING GAZAN MERCHANTS' ARREST

Gaza, 2 Rajab 1436/21 April 2015 (MINA) – The Palestinian National Economy Ministry stressed on Sunday the urgent need to stop Israeli targeting of Gazan merchants, calling for the release of the Palestinian merchants who were detained at Beit Hanoun crossing for flimsy pretexts.

Undersecretary for the Ministry in Gaza Hatem Oweida said that Gazan merchants are subjected to deliberate humiliation and blackmail at Beit Hanoun border crossing, pointing to the Israeli tight masseurs and restrictions imposed on goods’ access to the Strip, Palestinian Information Center (PIC) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

The ministry documented the arrest of 19 merchants from Gaza Strip, he added.

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He also pointed to the heavy losses suffered by the merchants due to the Israeli confiscation of and ban on their goods at the border crossing.

Oweida urged the international human rights institutions to stand seriously against Israeli violations against Gazan merchants and to work on lifting Gaza siege.

He also called on the Palestinian unity government to bear its historic responsibilities regarding the issues of Gaza’s public servants and border crossings.

Gaza people have made great sacrifices in order to live with dignity, but their patience could come to an end at any time, he warned.

For his part, Public Relations Officer in the General Federation of Palestinian Industries Mohamed Mansi told the PIC reporter that Israeli arrests of Gazan merchants are aimed at tightening the siege of the Strip.

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Most of the detained merchants are arrested after obtaining Israeli permits to pass through Beit Hanoun. They are then held in Israeli jails and detention centers without charges, he continued.

Earlier Sunday, the Palestinian Economy Ministry has organized in coordination with the government media office and the private and non-government institutions in Gaza a sit-in protesting Israeli arrests and deliberate targeting of Gazan merchants. (T/P006/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)